PSYCHIATRIC SOCIAL WORKER/LMHC

About the Role

The Psychiatric Social Worker/Mental Health Counselor provides thorough, clinically appropriate, culturally competent, and trauma-informed social work interventions. These include psychiatric emergency evaluations, psychosocial assessments, person-centered treatment planning, group and individual therapy/psychoeducation, crisis interventions, family/collateral engagement, and coordination of aftercare. The role is integral to the interdisciplinary team, ensuring excellent patient care through effective communication and escalation of issues.

Responsibilities

• Conduct individual evaluations and assessments, including gathering psychosocial and diagnostic information, interviewing patients and family members, assessing mental status and psychosocial functioning, and identifying post-discharge needs.
• Perform Social Work Psychiatric Emergency Evaluations in the Emergency Department (Psychiatric Social Worker) or discharge planning (Mental Health Counselor).
• Participate in interdisciplinary teams to determine appropriate, evidence-based interventions and eligibility for programs/services in accordance with hospital policy and regulations.
• Build rapport and establish therapeutic alliances with patients, providing crisis intervention, stabilization, and brief supportive/solution-focused therapy.
• Maintain timely and thorough documentation of assessments, interventions, planning, and communications with stakeholders.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to coordinate timely and streamlined patient care.
• Act as a community and family liaison, maintaining contact with outpatient providers, schools, probation/parole officers, and other supports.
• Provide culturally competent care, recognizing and responding to the unique needs of diverse populations and individuals with disabilities.
• Serve as a patient advocate, acting in the patient’s best interest while maintaining confidentiality.
• Adhere to hospital, departmental, state, and federal policies and regulations.
• Supervise and orient students, support staff, and new staff as needed.
• Cross-train and provide coverage in other parts of the hospital as assigned.
• Participate in continuing education and complete mandatory trainings before deadlines.
• Represent the department on hospital committees and external meetings.
• Participate in Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement programs.
• Perform other duties as assigned and uphold the hospital’s mission, vision, and values.

Requirements

• Master’s Degree in Social Work or Mental Health Counseling from an accredited graduate program.
• New York State Social Work or Mental Health Counseling license required.
• Two years of post-graduate experience in a medical, mental health, or human services setting as part of a multi-disciplinary team is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in therapeutic treatment modalities (e.g., individual, family, group, or couples therapy) and handling complex treatment cases.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, basic computer skills, and ability to function independently with minimal consultation.

Individuals in this role may reasonably anticipate contact with human blood or other potentially infectious materials and are required to follow universal precautions and use personal protective equipment.